fort monroe

International Special
Forces Training Course
(ISFTC)

United States Army

John F. Kennedy

Special Warfare Center and

0PR SGS 26 530^001

Problem Statement

While transforming our SOF training programs to
ensure continued relevancy in the current
operational environment; how do we ensure we
don't exclude our allies and what can we do to
assist them and support their critical role in the
War on Terrorism?

- Can we do for coalition SOF interoperability what Joint
operations are doing for U.S. inter-service operability?

"Working with other nation's militaries and other governmental
agencies, the Armed Forces help to establish favorable security
conditions and increase the capabilities of partners."

The National Military Strategy of the United States of America, 2004

"International partnerships continue to be a principal source of our
strength."

National Defense Strategy of the United States of America. March, 2005

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Slide 2 of 25

Vision

• The International Special Forces
Training Course is the accepted
standard for Special Forces training
throughout the international Special
Operations Forces (SOF) community;
and facilitates coalition SOF
interoperability in the Global War on
Terrorism (GWOT)

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Slide 3 of 25

Mission

The USAJFKSWCS provides a relevant
Special Forces training course for
International Military Students (IMS)
that is physically demanding,
academically rigorous and provides
the graduate the necessary skills to
enhance his country's SOF program
and facilitate interoperability of
coalition SOF

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Slide 4 of 25

Commander's Intent

Purpose: To enhance the combat effectiveness of U.S. and

coalition SOF in the GWOT by providing our coalition partners
with relevant Special Forces training that assists them in the
advancement of their SOF program and facilitates coalition SOF
interoperability on today's battlefield.

Key Tasks:

• Develop a complete program of instruction with established standards,
physically demanding, and academically rigorous

• Leverage already developed training and courses

• Facilitate the exchange of tactics, techniques, and operating procedures
based on recent lessons learned in combat

• Provide the IMS with an understanding of U.S. training concepts and
operational methodology

• Prepare the IMS to train his Soldiers upon return, and work with U.S.
and other coalition SOF in today's contemporary operational
environment

Endstate: Graduates of the ISFTC are key personnel in their
respective SOF units with the necessary skills to advance his
country's SOF program and facilitate coalition SOF combat

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Facts

(1 of 2)

• We have a vested interest in coalition SOF
capabilities and participation in the GWOT

• Many friendly nations are in the developmental
stage of establishing SOF

• The previous IMS experience in the Special
Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) was a
fragmented, incomplete course.

— Disservice to them

-Not the example we want to set

• Providing the IMS with the tools to train his own
Soldiers upon return provides greater long-term
benefits to our allies

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Slide 6 of 25

Facts

(2 of 2)

• The SFQC is now a classified course to provide
required instruction to U.S. SF students

• USSOCOM Directive 350-27 Release of Special
Operations Tactics, Techniques, and
Procedures, 24 Apr 05 effects all USSOCOM
training centers and foreign student attendance

— TTPs in all USAJFKSWCS courses under review

• The new model for the flow though the "SF
pipeline" does not accommodate the
integration or separation of IMS as did the old
model

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Slide 7 of 25

Assumptions

• We can provide a relevant training program
that is designed to IMS requirements and
welcomed by friendly nations

• No additional manpower required in SWCS

• Resource impact will be absorbed by IMET
and FMS funding

• Current SF training attendance of
approximately 60 IMS year will remain
sufficient

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IMET: International Military Education and Training
FMS: Foreign Military Sales

Slide 8 of 25

Commander's Guidance

• Pilot course ready by January 2006

• The USAJFKSWCS will conduct two
courses per calendar year

• Course length not to exceed 1 5
weeks

• 30 students per class is optimal
•No USAJFKSWCS manpower growth

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Slide 9 of 25

*

Phase I

Special Forces
Assessment and
Selection fSFAS

3 Weeks

Individual physical events

Land navigation

Team events

Obstacle course

Long range movements

Phase V |

Small Unit I

Operations and

r>- J I—

3 Week FTX

• Hand to hand combat

* Troop leading procedures

* Patrolling individual tasks

• Patrolling collective tasks

• Move under fire

• Laws of war

* Conduct a defense

* Advanced rifle marksmansl
and tactics

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Phase II

Instructor Training
Course (ITC)

2 Weeks

•^Instruction methods

techniques

• After action reviews

• Risk assessments

• TRADOC approved

course for U.S.
instructor!

Phase III
U.S. Special
Operations

1 Week

• Special Forces
history

and organization

• Army security
assistance

• Theater SOC
operations

r Phase IV

Military Occupational Specia I ty

I fWLM^e- "

5 Weeks

• 18A MDMP, SR, DA, FID planning

• 18B Direct and indirect fire weapon
systems

traPmng Dem °l' t ' ons anc * engineer

fifesaving asic first aic * anc * combat

ip Phase Radio °P erations : antenna

1 Week

* Graduation

• Out-processing

~ 15 Weeks

lide 10 of 25

The ISFTC Gradua

• Proficient in small unit tactics

• Knowledgeable of SFODA organization and each
MOS

• Understands Special Forces operational
concepts; ODA thru TSOC

• Competent as an instructor

• Physically fit, trained in hand to hand combat,
and small arms marksmanship

• Fosters teamwork; a confident small unit leader;
trained to operate with U.S. and coalition SOF

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Slide 11 of 25

Questions?

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Slide 12 of 25

Backup slides follow

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Slide 13 of 25

What has changed in the SFQC?

• Transforming the SFQC for continued relevancy
required changes to course content and the training
model

- Adding more classified instruction, ASOT, Interagency operations;
sensitive Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures

- Foreign language training is woven throughout the SFQC Program of
Instruction

• Encompasses all ten of the core languages taught at the USAJFKSWCS

- Evolving tactics, techniques, and procedures require OPSEC
safeguards

- Interagency operations are the norm

- Adding relevant, current operational vignettes

- Incorporating battlefield lessons learned and revised critical tasks
quickly

- SF Tactics, SERE, PGD/HD instruction has been added; embedded
throughout the course

- Reliance on technology and web-based training

• Course prerequisites for SFQC attendance have not changed

- Due to changes in course content, we are enforcing them

- IMS can attend if they meet the prerequisites of USSOCOM Directives
opr: sgs &fce Army Training and Requirements Resources System (ATJ^RS4 of 25

• Includes security clearance requirements

Typical International Student

• From a Special Forces or Commando
Unit

• Likely has combat experience

• Is 29 years old

• Airborne qualified

• Basic understanding of the English
language

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Slide 15 of 25

Special Forces Assessment and
Selection

(conducted with U.S. counterparts)

• Swim test

• Land navigation

• Individual physical fitness events

• Road marches

• Long range movements

• Obstacle course

• Team events

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Slide 16 of 25

Instructor Training Course*
(ITC)

• Methods and techniques of instruction

• After action reviews

• Conduct of counseling sessions

• Apply the risk management process

• 4 graded presentations

1 - lesson plan, 3 - country study

• Identify course objectives

• Develop learning objectives, training
plans, and

training sessions

• TRADOC approved course for U.S.

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Slide 17 of 25

U.S. Special Operations

• U.S. SOF overview and Special Forces history

• Theater Special Operations Command organization and
operations

• Army security assistance

- How to request training and support through security assistance
organizations for IMEX FMS, etc.

• Coalition/Joint Special Operations Task Force organization
and operations

• Special Forces Group and below organization

- Operational Detachment “Alpha" organization and operations

• Civil Affairs operations

• Psychological operations

• Special Forces Advanced Skills orientation

- Military Freefall, Combat Diver, Sniper, Advanced urban combat

• Noncommissioned Officer Academy

- Orientation to NCO Education System
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Slide 18 of 25

Small Unit Tactics

(conducted with U.S. counterparts)

• Hand to hand combat

• Troop leading procedures

• Patrolling individual tasks

• Patrolling collective tasks (ambush, raid, recon)

• Move under fire

• Laws of war

• Conduct a defense

• Advanced rifle marksmanship and tactics

• Use of night vision devices

• Helicopter operations

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Slide 19 of 25

Military Occupational Specialty
Training

Students will spend one week with each MOS for
duties and responsibilities, training method, and
basic understand of MOS Capabilities. This training
will be a specific Program of Instruction for IMS to
give them a better overall understanding of each
MOS in a shorter time frame

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Slide 20 of 25

18A Special Forces Detachment
Commander

• Day one: U.S. Special Forces History and
introduction to U.S. Army Special Forces

• Day two: Special Forces missions and
fundamentals of Special Reconnaissance (SR),
Direct Action (DA), and Foreign Internal Defense
(FID)

• Day three: Military Decision Making Process
(MDMP) and Intelligence Preparation of the
Battlefield (IPB)

• Day four: SR Mission Planning Exercise (MPE)

• Day five: DA MPE

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Slide 21 of 25

18B Special Forces Weapons
Sergeant

• Day one: Basic weapons operations

• Day two: Machine guns; rifles; pistols;
submachine guns; grenade launchers

• Day three: Introduction to mortars 60mm,
81mm, 120mm

• Day four: Introduction to Forward Observer
and FDC

• Day five: Vehicle mounted weapons; range
operations

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Slide 22 of 25

18C Special Forces Engineer
Sergeant

• Day one: Role of 18C, blue prints;
construction; concrete and masonry

• Day two: Mines and unexploded ordinance
capabilities and responsibilities

• Day three: Calculation and placement of
charges

• Day four: Demolitions mission planning;
duties and responsibilities

• Day five: Live demolition range

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Slide 23 of 25

18D Special Forces Medical
Sergeant

• Day one through three: Ranger First
Responder Course (Trauma
management)

• Day four: Casualty Response for Leaders
practical exercise

• Day five: Preventive medicine

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Slide 24 of 25

18E Special Forces
Communications Sergeant

• Day one: Radio theory; operations; and
procedures

• Day two: RTO duties and responsibilities;
procedures

• Day three: Radio net planning

• Day four: Antenna theory; site selection; practical
exercise

• Day five: Radio and antenna planning and
operations in the field; maintenance of radio and
antenna systems

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